Bitter: Hokies Cruise As James Franklin Announces Himself As New Boss In Town

22 Comments

1. 

   md53355115 September 6, 2026 at 8:30 PM

   Given Andy's penchant for hanging on to peves and regular mentions of "get off my lawn" sounding takes, I recommend #10 of the 10 things column be made permanently called '10. The Bitter End'. Might even make a 15 minute podcast (for anyone who can stand it!)
   1. 

      Andy Bitter September 7, 2026 at 10:09 AM

      The Bitter End was my column title in college.
2. 

   Spartacusjones September 6, 2026 at 4:03 PM

   Last night was like a test drive for Franklin' Hokies. They got to try things against another team. I think Franklin was more concerned about how hhfgteam meshed and he fled certain situations. They got to see most of the roster perform in live game snaps. Snaps that did not include taking a knee. Franklin now has a better idea of what he has to work with and where he needs to work on player development. Yes. The game was one-sided, but it still has value as a diagnostic exercise. VMI earned their $500,000.
3. 

   AbsolutVT03 September 6, 2026 at 2:43 PM

   “Even if it’s like winning a game on the rookie level of the NCAA video game” And your opponent was a toddler. Sure he hit the right buttons a few times but otherwise he was completely lost and outmatched.
4. 

   catamount hokie September 6, 2026 at 12:08 PM

   yes, VMI was overmatched athletically, BUT last night the Hokies looked SHARP! that's the best they have looked since 2016. They knew what they were doing, and they executed with confidence, I saw little or no confusion or indecision. This cannot help but to translate well against more well endowed programs.
5. 

   NokeVillage September 6, 2026 at 11:38 AM

   I know on the pod a couple of times you said you didn’t like these matchups… I agreed, until now. My 7 & 3 year old came to the game and they both VT is the best team ever and will probably lock in lifetime fandom because of that performance. As a parent, I’m 100% not setting realistic expectations for them 😂
6. 

   TomTurkey September 6, 2026 at 10:54 AM

   Game time coaching. Game experience for the depth chart down to the managers (with kudos to those unsung students). First Lane atmosphere for many. Hokie Nation showing the nation that "we mean business" (with a nod to those law firms). Beamer adage of improvement between games 1 and 2. Let the good times roll! Win #2.
7. 

   paulr73 September 6, 2026 at 9:48 AM

   Like you wrote, don’t take too much either from this game. Great coaching , offense, defense and special teams. A building block win, with many players getting in the game. Thanks for a great insightful read. Winning is everything.
8. 

   `lag September 6, 2026 at 9:40 AM

   Loved the Allman Bros. Been to a few concerts, maybe that's where I slipped up in life, at least, never had a chance as a football coach. And I get it, maybe beating up on not even a good FCS team doesn't tell you a lot about the next game but Franklin's introduction is like some blinding flash from a camera, it sure does make you forget the past few years. No baggage now to weigh VT down, everything starts from now. Heck, I've even checked out Mr Meek's tune. I do wonder about the Keydets though, remember when VT rolled Miami of Ohio, and their coach one Frank Solich (after his career at Nebraska) vowed never to play those types of games again. And for $500k? that was the going rate (OK, maybe $250k) twenty years ago, I would have though they'd get a mil out of it at least for getting beaten up. 'spose $500k goes a lot further there I suppose. OK, I always get a little hiking in when I hit Blacksburg, but will put on my Ima Boss attitude for games. (first one would be up here in Maryland, and wasn't feeling it at first, but now feel there's a chance...)
9. 

   middletennhokie September 6, 2026 at 9:33 AM

   Thanks for burning the midnight oil Andy! Agree that there is a professionalism and high standards we have not seen at VT for a very long time. About damn time for sure!
10. 

    4Hokies4U September 6, 2026 at 9:00 AM

    Always excellent coverage, thanks Andy. Happy you mentioned the 146 straight, this is one of the realities of the current CFB landscape. Obviously it’s a money game, that nearly every team plays, some pay G6 teams ~ 1.5 million and the rest pay FCS teams ~ 500K. I’d prefer; W&M, Richmond, Hampton and Norfolk State, that’s what UVa has set up, but as you infer, it is what it is.
11. 

    HokieJB September 6, 2026 at 8:56 AM

    Hats off to the overmatched Keydets. They never stopped scrapping.
12. 

    ad nauseam September 6, 2026 at 8:55 AM

    prop joe reference!
13. 

    DW Hokie September 6, 2026 at 8:48 AM

    Andy, you really captured the zeitgeist of the past few years for Hokie fans. About damn time, indeed!
14. 

    NokieHokie September 6, 2026 at 8:48 AM

    I love Franklin! The man will step on everyone in his way, including the military boys. it's about dang time we have a professional!
    1. 

       TomTurkey September 6, 2026 at 10:48 AM

       The Nokie seal of approval. Not easily attained.
15. 

    mwills98 September 6, 2026 at 8:08 AM

    Standing by my 9-3 prediction, though probably swapping the Pitt and Clem results.
    1. 

       HokieJB September 6, 2026 at 8:54 AM

       Under promise, over deliver! I fear you may be setting yourself up for disappointment.
16. 

    ExitLight04 September 6, 2026 at 8:01 AM

    That my friends was refreshing, or more accurately, a relief. It feels like an eternity since Tech hasn’t underperformed or played down to the level of their competition. When having honest conversations with myself about what the expectations for this year’s team should be, it boiled down to hoping that Tech would win the games they should and at least half of the toss-ups. Well so far so good. It was awesome to hear Franklin acknowledge that THAT is what we were SUPPOSED to do. Finally, a team that not only understands the assignment, but went out and executed it.
17. 

    11hokie September 6, 2026 at 7:01 AM

    I absolutely love that JF was coaching until the final whistle. I am loving the vibe right now. Don’t care about the opponent in this one. It’s more about the machine and how it’s functioning. And this machine looks the part and is buttoned up where it needs to be. The penalties, other than the 3 offsides for lining up in the neutral zone, don’t really concern me. That’s first game bs with some young players and JF will fix that. It felt different and that’s what I’m most excited about. Let’s put up 73 against ODU! We have some revenge due for those chumps.
18. 

    sacramento hokie September 6, 2026 at 6:52 AM

    Good stuff Andy and I didn’t mind the cupcake opener one darn bit! Most everyone else does it and indeed it was like a controlled scrimmage to see where you are as a program and it allows everyone to play! Fans really appreciate your insight!
19. 

    VTAtlantaHokie September 6, 2026 at 2:36 AM

    AB & Sideline Hard At Work After Dark-Thankyou I Never get tired of being reminded "Scared Money Don't Make No Money"....Meek Mill. Its one of the best bars ever written. VMI is only 1 game-win (against an FCS opponent) but hopefully by season's end, perhaps VT finally sees what happens when you SPEND that money. Now its onto to getting some flesh from ODU who pretty much ended the careers of our last two Va Tech coaches. Coach Franklin...This is NOT the game to slip up on! If you 'wanna to stay the "Boss".